V is for VELELLA. It is the only thing beginning with V on Jessica’s Nature Blog. This beautiful blue sea creature, which is in fact a colony of organisms, has been turning up in ever more frequent numbers on beaches over the past decade. Its common name is by-the-wind-sailor, and is characterised by its own sail-like structure that catches the wind and propels it in great flotillas across the surface of the sea covering great distances.
Jessica's Nature Blog 
these are really wonderful creatures …
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ohh, I thought this was a bit of plastic (probably due to the name) as first. How fascinating. I will be looking out for these creatures in the future.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, never seen anything like it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, they are incredible organisms and recent years gave seen thousands washed ashore all over the world. Not certain if that is an effect of warmer oceans and changing currents.
LikeLike
The first time I saw them I wondered what on earth they were. They were not a common find then. But recently they have come ashore in vast numbers all over the world it seems. These pictures were all taken on Rhossili beach at different times.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are very small, only a few centimetres long and easy to overlook, especially if it is only the transparent chitinous remains with the sail. Living or recently dead specimens are that bright blue that stands out on the sand and are easier to notice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting, I will take a closer look next time I am at the beach!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow. What beauties they are.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Claudia.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How interesting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What beautiful creatures – I’ve never come across these before, but if ever I do I will now know what they are! I’ve seen Portuguese-Man-Of-War washed up on Cornwall’s beaches in recent years but not these – fascinating pictures Jessica.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Quite stunning. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jean.😊
LikeLike
Thank you, Evelyn. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so fun to see – we saw masses of them on a beach in Oregon once and were fascinated. Your photos of them are excellent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, BlueBrightly. These lovely little creatures appear to be more common in recent years and are turning up on many beaches around the world.
LikeLike
Maybe somewhere, there are marine biology students trying to figure out why. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am sure you are right, blue rightly. I suspect that it may have something to do with increasingly warmer oceans and the subsequent extended range for the species.
LikeLike
Exactly. I just read an article about bird size overall becoming smaller – it was the result of 40 years of measuring mostly passerine birds that hit a tall building in Chicago. There is some theoretical connection to climate change.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2019/12/04/birds-are-shrinking-these-scientists-say-its-consequence-global-warming/
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLike
Fascinating organisms. A colony with a sail.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, The Evolving Naturalist.
LikeLike